UNBS Facilitates Maize Flour Trade to South Sudan with Quality Assurance Measures
The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has initiated a process of ensuring the quality of maize flour exports to South Sudan, in alignment with its mission to enhance Uganda’s economic strength through product quality assurance. This effort was prompted by a directive from the South Sudan National Bureau of Standards, requiring certificates of conformity and analysis from reputable laboratories for exported goods.
The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) on 29th August 2023 kicked off batch sampling and laboratory analysis of maize flour exports to South Sudan to facilitate trade between the two countries. The activity for maize exporters in Kampala, currently taking place at Afro Kai Limited in Matugga, is in line with the UNBS Mandate of strengthening Uganda’s economy by assuring the quality of locally manufactured products to enhance the competitiveness of exports in regional and international markets.
The activity was occasioned by a letter from the South Sudan National Bureau of Standards (SSNBS) which directed all Traders and Clearing Agents exporting goods to the South Sudan business community to ensure that the commodities are accompanied by a Certificate of Conformity and a Certificate of Analysis from a reputable laboratory.
“As Uganda National Bureau of Standards, we have to give an enabling environment. So we have arranged with the leadership of the millers exporting to S. Sudan, to ensure that this requirement by the export market is met so that business can continue without hindrance,” said Eng. John Paul Musimami, the Deputy Executive Director – Compliance, UNBS.
Today, UNBS handed over Certificates of Analysis for the first batch of Maize exporters whose Maize Flour was sampled and sent for laboratory testing on Friday. The traders were grateful to UNBS for the fast response. “I am delighted that UNBS has supported us. They have started the exercise to comply with our counterpart’s request and today we are dispatching our first consignment,” said Kabondo Jacob, the National Coordinator of Uganda Millers’ Association.
Kabondo further requested UNBS to reduce the turnaround time for Laboratory testing and analysis from two to one day and urged fellow traders who want to export maize flour and grains to South Sudan to embrace the temporary solution provided by UNBS.
